Shelf construction



June 6, 1950 R. w. MoHRlNG SHELF CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 13, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR. Eb/Z WMU/21?@ Patented June 6, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHELF CONSTRUCTION Robert W. Mehring, Chicago, Ill.

Application August 13, 1947, Serial No. 768,290

9 Claims.

This invention is concerned with improvements in a knockdown shelf construction.

It is an object of the invention to provide a lightweightknockdovvn shelf' construction which is free of fastening devices and which may be assembled without the use of tools.

It is a further object of the invention tc provide a pre-fabricated shelf construction adapted` to be quickly and easily assembled and in which the parts are successively interlocked with eachv other to provide a sturdy and rigid construction.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a free standing self-contained unitary shelf structure which comprises a rigid frame formed by interlocking connecting the ends of horizontal frame members to a pluralityl of vertical frame or post members and confining the frame members in interlocked relation by means of panels in sliding engagement with,l the vertical frame members. A

It is another object ofthe invention to provide a shelf which is flexible in use and which is adapted to be constructed in a plurality of interconnected units to provide a continuous shelf' of any desired length.

It is a furtherv object of the invention to provide a shelf construction comprising end units and intermediate frame members adapted for interengagement with the frame members of the end units to form intermediate units and provide a continuous shelf consisting of a plurality of units or sections in interlocked connected relation.

It is a still further object of the inventionrto provide in a shelf construction of the type described an improved joint for interlockingl the ends of the horizontal rails in engagement with the vertical post members.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from a description ofthe preferred forms thereofv which are shown by Way of illustration in the accompanyingdraw-ings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspectivevievv of'a single unit shelf ,n

construction embodying the principles of the invention; v

Fig. 2 is a section, to-an enlarged scale, on the line 2-2 of Fig: 1,- withv parts broken away;-

Fig. 3V is a section on the line 3'--3 ofFig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4' 'of Fig'. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a portion of one of the vertical frame or post members;

Fig. 6.v is a perspective view of the end portion of a side rail member;

Fig. '7 is a perspective vie-vv ofthe end portiony of an end rail member;

Fig. 8 is an exploded sectional view illustrating the assembly of the side and end rail members with the vertical frame member;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of a plural unit shelf construction embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 10 is a section, to an enlarged scalev on the line I III-Ill of l'ig.y 9, with portions broken away;

Fig. 11 is a section on the line I I-II of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a perspective viewv of a portion of an intermediate vertical frame or post member; and.

Fig. 13 is a perspective View of an end portion of an intermediate cross rail member.

The construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 provides a single unit shelf having three` vertically spaced horizontal shelf panel members which are supported by rigidly connected horizontal and vertical lframe members.

The frame for the single unit shelf is formed by four vertically positioned uprights or corner posts Ill which are connected in interlocking relation with `oppositely disposed pairs of horizontal front, and back side rails I I and end rails or cross members I2. The shelf panel members I3 are supported by horizontal frames each formed by a pair of side rails II and a pair of end rails I2 connected at their respective ends to the posts I Il at the same level. The endsrof each side rail II are detachably connected to the respective corner posts I0 by means of an interlocking corner joint construction. The ends of each end rail I2 are detachably connected to the respective corner posts I0 by means of a cooperating corner joint construction which locks the ends of the adjacent side rails II in position. y Y

Each side rail I I is formed on its ends as illustrated in Figs 2, 6 and 8, to provide a beveled end face or surface I4 which extends transversely from the inner face I=5 of the rail I I for a greater portion of its thickness and merges into agroove I6 adjacent the outer vertical face I'I thereof.

The groove I6 is defined by the beveled surfaceV I8, parallel side surfaces I9 and 20 and' bottoni surface 2l. VThe side surf-ace 20 is spaced from the outer face l1 of the rail and extends a short distance zbeyond the base 2| defining with the outer face I'I a rib-like outer ridge along the groove l5` which terminates in an end surface 22.

Each end of side rail II is adapted to bereceived in interlocking relation in a socket-like formation provided in a vertical post Ill', as para ticularly illustrated in Fig. 5. The socket forma tion comprises a groove 23 whichY is formed in the inside edge 24- of the pest IllV and 'a Vielike groove 25 which is formed in the inner face 26 of the post I0. The grooves 23 and 25 extend a suilicient distance axially or vertically of the post l@ to accommodate the vertical depth of the rail Il.

The groove 23 is formed by beveled outer Wall 21, bottom wall 28 and inner Wall 23. The groove 25 is formed by converging beveled walls 30 and 3| and a narrow straight wall portion 32 which extends from the beveled wall 3l to the surface of the inside edge 24 of the post I0. The grooves 23 and 25 accommodate the protruding portions of the joint formation on the end of the rail II (Fig. 8). The end of the rail l l is engaged in the socket formation on the post I by inserting the protruding ridge portion adjacent the groove I3 of the rail Il in the groove 23 of the post I0 and pivoting the rail l I inwardly to bring the beveled surface I 4 on the rail il into contact with the beveled surface 30 on the post Ill. When in fully engaged position the rail II can be disengaged only by a, pivoting movement.

Each end rail I2 is formed on its ends as illustrated in Fig. 7, to provide a dovetail tongue 33 which extends from the outer face 3d of the rail I2 transversely of the thickness of the rail a distance preferably somewhat less than half the thickness thereof, the end of the rail being cut away to provide an end abutment surface 35 adjacent the base of the tongue 33. The post IIl is provided with a dovetail groove Y36 adjacent the groove 25 for receiving the dovetail tongue 33. The dovetail groove 3B is positioned relatively close to the groove 25 in the post lli so that when the tongue 33 is inserted in the groove 3S the abutment surface 35 on the end of the rail l2k will extend over the end portion 31 of the inside face l5 of the adjacent side rail I I.

The end posts I3 are each provided on the inside surface 25 with a vertical groove 38 which is spaced inwardly from the outer edge face 39 of the post I0 and extends to a depth slightly greater than the dovetail groove 36 (Figs. 2 and 8). The post l 0 is cut away at the corner beyond the groove 38 to provide clearance for the dovetail tongue 33. The groove 38 accommodates a sliding end panel di! which is inserted after the rails II and I2 have been positioned in interlocking relation with the posts Il] and which locks the rail I2 in its fully engaged position.

The shelf panels I3 are out away or notched at the corners to accommodate the inside corner edges of the posts lil and the panels are preferably made slightly less in length than the distance between the end panels 40 so that they may be used interchangeably in providing the plural unit shelf construction illustrated in Figs. 9 to 13.

The pluralunit construction which is illustrated in Figs. 9 to 13 provides tivo or more vertically spaced horizontal shelves of any desired length. The end sections of the plural unit `are formed with shelf panel members 50, side rails 5I, end rails 52, end posts 53 and end panels 54 which are the same construction as the corresponding members in the single unit construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8. The intermediate sections of the plural unit are formed with intermediate posts 55 and cross rails 56 which embody a modiiied form of interlocking joint construction.

The intermediate vertical posts 55 are each provided with socket formations 51 and 58, as shown in Fig. 12, to receive the interlocking projections on the ends of the side rails 5l. The socket formations 51 and 58 are identical with the corresponding socket formations on the vel?-l vertical supporting posts, side rails, cooperating Y tical posts of the -single unit construction. The socket formations 5l and 58 are arranged on opposite sides of a dovetail groove formation 53 which is adapted to receive the dovetail tongue E0 on the end of the cross rail 56. The dovetail tongue 60 extends from the vertical center of the rail 56 and abutment end surfaces 6I extend on either side of the base of the same for engagement with the end portions of the inner surfaces of the side rails 5I. A rectangular socket formation 52 is provided in the post 55 above the dovetail groove 59 to permit the insertion of the dovetail tongue 60 in the groove 53.

The plural unit is assembled in the same manner as the single unit. The ends of the side Vrails 5l are engaged in the sockets in the end posts 53 or the intermediate posts 55 as required. The ends of the intermediate cross rails 56 are nextengaged in the sockets in the intermediate posts 55. The end rails 52 are engaged with the end posts 53 and the end panels 54 are slid into position in the grooves provided in the end posts 53. The shelf panel mem-bers 50 are positioned on the frame structure With the adjoining ends in abutting relation to provide a continuous shelf surface. Y

The single unit device comprises a unitary shelf construction which may be readily assembled or erected without the use of any tools to provide a self-supporting, rigid device capable of a great variety of uses. The relative size and number of shelves per unit may be varied as desired.

The plural unit device comprises a shelf construction which may be extended as desired to provide continuous shelves of greater length than provided by the single unit device. This construction may utilize the same shelf panel members, end members and side rail members which are provided for use in the single unit device. Such members may be interchangeably used and any length shelf may be provided by supplying the required number ofintermediate cross rails and vertical posts which are necessary for the formation of the intermediate sections.

Both shelf constructions illustrated are particularly adapted to be made of Wood but any similar material which can be shaped or formed to provide the interlocking joint connections and which has suiiicient strength and rigidity may be used.

While specific details of construction have been referred to in describing the illustrated forms of the invention, it will be understood that other details of construction may be resorted to within the spirit of the invention. Y

I claim: Y

1. A sectional shelving structure comprising a plurality of vertical supporting frame members,

side and end rails, means for engaging the endsV of said side and end rails in detachable interlocking engagement with said vertical frame members, said side and end'rails being adapted to provide a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal shelf supports, panels connecting certain of said vertical frame members and means on said panels and said frame members to slidingly connect the same and to lock said side and end rails in position.

2. A shelf structure comprising a plurality of means on the ends of said side rails and on said posts to connect said side rails in interlocking detachable engagement with said vertical posts,

end. rails. means on the ends ofsaid end rails and on said posts to connect said end rails in detachable interlocking engagement with said posts, the connecting portion of said end rails with said posts overlapping the connecting portions of said side rails with said posts and preventing disengagement of the ends of said side rails, said side and end rails cooperating to provide a shelf support, and end panels, said end panels having means connecting the same in interlocking engagement with pairs of said posts to lock said end rails in position.

3. In a shelving structure, a plurality of vertical supporting frame members, side rails having their ends provided with a beveled surface terminating in a groove adjacent one vertical face and a ridge portion adjacent said groove, said vertical frame members having generally V- shaped socket formations for receiving axially extending portions of said side rail ends and a groove for receiving said ridge portion to secure said frame and rail members in interlocking engagement, end rails having their ends provided with a dovetail tongue, said vertical frame members being provided with dovetail grooves adjacent the V-shaped socket formations for receiving said dovetail tongues whereby said side rail ends are locked in engagement in said socket formation when said end rail ends are positioned in tongue and groove engagement with said vertical frame members.

4. In a shelving structure as recited in claim 3 wherein vertical grooves are provided in said vertical frame members and end panels are positioned in said grooves to lock said end rails in engagement with said vertical frame members.

5. In a shelving structure, a plurality of vertical posts, a plurality of pairs of side and end frame members, said side frame member having end formations, said vertical posts being provided with socket formations for receiving in horizontal interlocking engagement the end formations on said side frame members, said end frame members having end abutment surfaces and dovetail tongues extending axially therefrom, and said vertical posts having dovetail grooves adjacent said socket formations for receiving said dovetail tongues in interlocking relation, said end abutment surfaces projecting over said socket formations and locking said side frame members in engagement with said vertical posts.

6. In a shelving structure as recited in claim 5 wherein said side frame members have their ends engaged with said vertical posts by a horizontal and pivotal movement and said end frame members have their ends engaged with said vertical posts by a horizontal movement and wherein end cross members are interengaged with said vertical posts to lock said end frame members in engagement therewith.

7. A sectional shelf construction comprising pairs of vertically arranged end frame members, intermediate vertically arranged frame members, side and end rails, said vertical frame members and said side and end rails having cooperating grooved portions and projecting portions respectively which are adapted to be detachably interengaged to provide horizontal shelf supports, cross members connected with said intermediate vertical members, said cross members and said intermediate vertical members having cooperating projecting portions and grooved portions respectively which are adapted to be detachably interengaged and which prevent disengagement of the side rails and the intermediate vertical members, and end panels engaged with the end frame members, said end frame members having grooves for receiving said end panels to lock the side and end rails thereto.

8. A shelf construction as recited in claim 7 wherein said cross members and intermediate vertical members are interlockingly connected by a tongue and groove joint construction and wherein said intermediate vertical members are provided with recesses immediately above said joint to permit limited movement of said cross members.

9. In a knockdown frame construction wherein a pair of frame members of generally rectangular cross section have their ends interlocked with a third frame member of generally rectangular cross section to provide a corner joint construction, one of said pair of members being provided on its end with a V-shaped groove merging at one side with a relatively narrow rib-like projection extending axially of the member, said groove merging at its other side with a V-shaped portion projecting transversely of the member, said third member having an axially directed groove in one of its side faces which is adapted to accommodate said rib-like end projection in a pivoting movement, said third member having a generally V-shaped groove in the first mentioned and adjoining side faces for receiving said V-shaped portion, said members being interlockingly engaged by relative pivoting movement, the other of said pair of members having a dovetail tongue on the end thereof and an end abutment surface positioned laterally of the same, and said third member having a dovetail groove adjacent the V-shaped groove with its open side directed toward the side face thereof which is opposite the first mentioned side face whereby when said dovetail tongue is positioned in said groove the end abutment surface will extend over said adjoining V-shaped groove and prevent disengagement of the first mentioned one of said members and said third member.

ROBERT W. MOHRING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 453,504 Reckert June 2, 1891 1,569,832 Byrne et al Jan. 12, 1926 1,990,046 Mayrose Feb. 5, 1935 2,199,238 Fisher Apr. 30, 1940 2,365,622 Bockius Dec. 19, 1944;* 2,375,726 Bales May 8, 1945 

